“Nonsense!” exclaimed Adrian. “You know that Villa is a friend of President Madero.”
“Yes, everybody knows that,” said the other policeman.
“How about that?” the first policeman asked, turning to their accuser.
“That’s what I said,” declared the man. “I said they were trying to get Pancho to join a revolution against the president.”
The boys by this time had a chance to take a good look at the man, and recognized him as the one who had guided them to Villa’s house. Whereupon Donald exclaimed, with considerable warmth: “That’s a lie, and you know it.” Then to the policemen: “You don’t have to take our word; ask Pancho.”
“Of course,” replied the policeman, and he approached Villa’s door and knocked loudly.
But, as in the case of the boys, there was no reply.
“Where has he gone?” asked the policeman, turning to Adrian.
“I don’t know. He was here just a few minutes ago; but when we came back to see who was shot, he was gone.”
“What’s that?” asked the policeman. “Did you say somebody was shot?”